PALOMA MOHAMED, PhD

December - January | Suriname

Experiences from previous years have shown that more and more Surinamese living abroad travel to Suriname in order to celebrate New Years Eve. This movement can partly be credited to the yearly "Owru Yari" event and the convivial atmosphere it creates. This atmosphere, starting from mid-december onwards, is typified by being a big cosy, unorganised and spontaneous reunion of friends and family members. 

The Surifesta Foundation was established in 1997 by initiatives of the private sector aiming to coordinate the events around December 31 and to improve tourism to Suriname by changing Paramaribo into one big, joyful entertainment area, the place to be. 

Orangizer: The Surifesta Foundation

Sponsor: Corporate

December - January | The Bahamas

Junkanoo is a Bahamian festival that occurs during the dark hours of morning on the 26th of December and again bringing in its first hours of light on the first day of the new year. Thousands dance through Bay Street, Nassau's town center, like a wild ocean of colour, while deep goat skin rhythms reverberate off the surrounding walls and cow bells chatter over the singing of brass horns. The sidewalk like a snake comes to life twisting blacks and browns while balconies and roof tops sway under the rhythmic feet of onlookers. There is a timeless sense, a feeling inside that is so vital that even the deaf feel to move. And as though possessed, these God- like cardboard sculptures dive and rise to the awesome music that lifts their spirits beyond the flesh. 

Organizer: Bahamian Tourist Board

Contact: (242) 356-2731

Sponsors: Government, Corporate

January - February | Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago Carnival brings the unique innovations of Steelpan (the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th Century) Calypso (one of the first popular music to ever be recorded and which celebrates its 100 years since this occurred in 2012) and Mas (the masquerade tradition that drives the performance of thousands on the road on Carnival Monday and Tuesday) to the global festival and Carnival arenas. The festival and its three main products have been duplicated the world over. It takes its name from the Latin Carne Vale which means ‘farewell to the flesh’. It is the last opportunity for excess before the commencement of the fasting associated with the Lenten season. The celebrations begin right after Christmas with the seasons’ musical offerings hitting the airwaves. Not an official holiday, Carnival, in the strictest sense, really comprises the Monday and Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday. These two days are preceded by numerous fetes and musical performances and small carnival competitions at schools and offices in the lead up to the street parade on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. The main competitions include Panorama for Steel Bands; King and Queen of the Bands, the Calypso Monarch, the Chutney-Soca Monarch, the Soca Monarch, the Parade of the Bands and the Road March. It is arguably the biggest festival of the year.

Organizers: National Carnival Commission of Trindad & Tobago

Sponsors: Government, Corporate

January - February | Trinidad & Tobago

This festival spans a two- week period from mid July to early August. It is a celebration of traditions that are largely African, and climax in a j’ouvert (pre-dawn street “jump up”) and street parade on Emancipation Day (August 1), and a Great Fete early in August.

The heritage events are hosted in different villages and feature dance performances of Bele (or belair), Jig and Reel, all based on 18th and 19th century European formal dances; the Ole time Tobago Wedding with its procession of the bride and groom, wedding guests and gifts, accompanied by the music of fiddle and tamb’rin (a circular skin drum); Goat and Crab Racing; the Saraka Feast is a traditional thanksgiving Festival that involves cooking, feasting, dancing, singing and ritual sacrifice in honour of the ancestors and seeking their blessings; Speech Band Competitions which consists of 4 -6 players whose presentations deliver news of social and political views in over the top Scottish and English accents.

Each speech is written in the iambic pentameter, commonly posed in comic rhyme so that audiences are thrown into fits of laughter; and heritage games which includes Bussing bamboo, spinning tops, marble pitching, bean bags, playing moral, scooters, trolleys, bicycle wheels with sticks and greasy poles.

This festival is a way of preserving and transmitting to the new generations of Tobagonians the community ways through story-telling, folk tales, superstitions and morality plays as well as through involvement in the other aspects. 

Organizer: Tobago Festival Comission

Contact: Tobago Festivals Commission

Lal's Building ,Dutch Fort Scarborough

P: 639-4441

F: 639- 5016

Email: Tobagoheritagefesti val@Yahoo.Com 

January - March | Bermuda

The Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts, which takes place annually in January and February, aims to educate and inspire through its presentation of world-class performing arts. More information is available in Festival History. 

Organizer: Bermuda Festival Mission

Email: adminoffice@bermuda festival.org

P: 441 295 1291

F: 441 295 7403

M: PO Box HM 297 Hamilton HM AX Bermuda

Sponsors: Corporate

February | Guyana

The word Mashramani is derived also from the Amerindian language and in translation means "the celebration of a job well done". Mashramani, sometimes referred to as "Mash", is usually observed on the 23 February - Guyana's Republic Day - to commemorate the "Birth of the Republic". It is probably the most colorful of all the festivals. There are spectacular costume competitions, float parades, masquerade bands, and dancing in the streets to the accompaniment of steel band music and calypsoes.

Contact: Department Of Culture, Youth & Sport, 71 Main Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown. Guyana, South America

P:  (592) 227-7860 (592) 226-8542 

February | Trinidad & Tobago

The Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival is a biennial music festival that was initiated in 1947 and is run by the Trinidad and Tobago Music Association. It is a music competition that caters to choirs, vocalists and musicians in Classical, Gospel, Jazz and Folk music amongst other genres.

Organizer: T&T Music Association

Sponsor: Corporate 

February | Dominica

Carnival, or 'The Real Mas', is a pre-Lenten festival, and usually falls in February or March each year. It is unquestionably the most festive season in Dominica. It is hard to miss the fervour of the people's loyalty to their favourite calypsonian or pageant during the preceding months of the Calypso Final and the National Queen Show. 

Organizers: Dominican Tourism Board

Sponsors: Government of Dominica, Corporate

March | Guyana

The Guyana Music Festival has a long history and its first edition was held in 1952. Since then it was held bi-annually until 1979 and was managed by a Committee with support from both public and private sector. 

On the occasion of their 40th Anniversary celebrations in 1992, the Woodside Choirs M.S. resuscitated the Guyana Music Festival with sponsorship from the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI). The GBTI was also the main sponsor of the two festivals held in 1994 and 1996.

Contact: Department Of Culture, Youth & Sport, 71 Main Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown. Guyana, South America

P:  (592) 227-7860 (592) 226-8542 

April | Puerto Rico

World-famous Escambrón Beach takes center stage in a flavorful weekend, with tastings from 30 restaurants per day of the island's finest restaurants, plus rums, wine, beer, distilled spirits, and 50 international and local culinary personalities! Saborea Puerto Rico: A Culinary Extravaganza takes place on April 3, 4, 5 and 6th, celebrating the best in Caribbean traditions and worldwide flavors with chefs from Puerto Rico and around the world.

Organizers: Government of Puerto Rico; Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association

Contact: Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association - Event Production

P: (787) 758-8001

F: (787) 758-8091

Sponsors: Corporate; Government

April | Tobago

Marlin Madness Game Fishing tournament happens every year and the winner is selected to participate in the INTERNATIONAL GAME FISH ASSOCIATION World Championship.

Organizers: Trinidad & Tobago Game Fishing Assocation

Sponsors: Tourism Board of Trinidad & Tobago

April | Suriname

The Back Lot gained fame for its film and documentary festivals and related education programs for young people (as The Talent Factory and Digital Playground ). The festivals were organized twice annually. In 2004 The Back Lot went a step further in achieving its goals, namely the start of 10 Minutes Jeugdjournaal . With funding from the National Postcode Lottery and Free Voice this could be achieved. The 10 Minutes Jeugdjournaal has evolved in recent years to become a blueprint for others to set up news. The various awards, including UNICEF Award, and the general audience today still prove the success of this journal. 

Organizer: The Blacklot Foundation

Contact: The Back Lot Flamboyantstraat #18 Paramaribo, Suriname Tel: +597 400802 E-mail: info@thebacklot.sr 

April | St. Maarten

The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) is charged with organising St. Maarten's Carnival, by far the island's largest cultural event for 42 years. From colorful parades, to spectacular pageants, exciting Calypso, energetic bands, and highly anticipated international concerts, St. Maarten's Carnival has something for everyone. The center of our activities is our Carnival Village. Every April the Village is transformed into the region's largest restaurant, with 80 booths with samplings of cuisine from every nationality that call St. Maarten home. Come enjoy our "fete", Come enjoy our Carnival. 

P: 1-721- 5225133/1-721- 5204788

Email: sxmcarnival@hotmail.com

Sponsor: Government of St. Maarten

April | Tobago

The Tobago Jazz Experience is Tobago's biggest annual music event, an exciting celebration of Jazz, the indigenous music of Trinidad and Tobago and new mmusic from around the world.

Taking place on one of the world's most idyllic tropical islands, the festivals offers "much more than music," representing everything Tobago is renowned for; its vibrant culture, colourful history, exotic food and most of all its warm and exberant people.

Email: contact@visittobago.gov.tt

Sponsor: Government of Trinidad & Tobago

April | Grenada

Meeting world class standards, the Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival is the event for those persons who wish for an experience with a difference. The Festival merged the maroon celebration and string band music into one setting with one spirit as one united island. Its African origins were depicted through the drumming, singing, smoked food and other rituals practiced by the local people. It epitomizes food, music and culture by bringing people together. As we say, once you have experienced the Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival, your life will never be the same! 

Contact: Carriacou Office Main Street, Hillsborough, Carriacou

P: (473) 443- 7948

Fax: (473) 443-6127

Email: carrgbt@spic eisle.com

Sponsors: Corporate, Government

Easter Weekend | Trinidad & Tobago

This fete is usually celebrated over a two week period starting from Easter weekend and ending two weeks later. The celebrations run concurrently with the Soparee Mai and La Divina Pastora festivals. This period usually sees an upsurge in visitors to the Village who set up camp in any available spot so as to ensure they do not miss any of the nightly entertainment organised. This period also sees an influx of peddlers who set up stalls along the roadside to take advantage of the increased human traffic. The culmination of the two weeks of entertainment is The Siparia Fete which normally sees very well known artiste, both local and international, performing. This fete is as old as the La Divina Pastora Celebrations. 

April | Barbados

The Festival features four massive events namely the The Festival features four massive events namely the:

• Digicel Reggae Beach

  Party - Sunday April 21st, 2013

• Digicel Vintage Reggae Show and Dance - Friday April 26th, 2013

• Digicel Reggae Party Cruise - Saturday April 27th, 2013

• Digicel Reggae on the Hill - Sunday Aptil 28th, 2013 

Revamped, redesigned and with a broadened artistic direction, the Caribbean's premier cultural event — the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival — attracts thousands to Simply Beautiful Saint Lucia. Cultural enthusiasts, festival lovers and music aficionados are wooed by over 50 world-acclaimed entertainers and artisans over the 12- day festival.

Organized by: The Saint Lucia Tourist Board

Sponsors: St. Lucia Tourist Board, Corporate

April - May | Antigua & Barbuda

The Antigua and Barbuda Sport Fishing Club have three events during the season.

The 5th Francis Nunes Jr. Fishing Tournament and Seafood Festival - Come and celebrate, fish and have fun with us for this third one day tournament due to take place at Nelson's Dockyard, English Harbour. 

BestintheWest - One day tournament based from Doc. Fullers Dock in Jolly Harbour. 

47th Annual Antigua and Barbuda Sports Fishing Tournament: Bigger and better each year - check out last years information and galleries throughout the site. For 2013 we will be back in Nelson's Dockyard, English Harbour.

The Antigua and Barbuda Marlin Classic: new for the year, a marlin only tournament where the best anglers will compete against each other. 

Organizer: The Antigua and Barbuda Sports Fishing Association

Contact: Phillip Shoul - Chairman

P: 1 (268) 460-7400 

C: 1 (268 ) 726- 4700 

F: 1 (268) 460- 7401 

Email: basicblue@ca ndw.ag 

Sponsors: Government, Corporate

May | Barbados

Celtic Festival Barbados celebrates a somewhat turbulent 300-year history of the Celts in the Caribbean. Many were sent there by Cromwell as indentured servants to work the sugar plantations and today, their descendants have Celtic blood. Some of them were knicknamed the Redlegs. There is a Scotland District in Barbados, and a St Andrews Parish and the Redleg Descendants of the Scots. 

Sponsors: Corporate, Government

May | Anguilla

The Anguilla Lit Fest pays homage to Anguilla’s literary heritage and offers yet another great reason for visitors to come to the island during the early summer period for the three day event. A registration fee of US$150.00 includes a welcome cocktail party, breakfast and lunch presentations, special sessions with the authors and fun- filled evening soirees.The program includes a free day to ensure that participants will have the opportunity to experience the best of all Anguilla has to offer.

Organizers: Anguilla Tourist Board

Contact: 786-235-1310/264-497-2759

Sponsors: Government of Anguilla, Corporate 

May | Barbados

Dedicated to Barbados, the Caribbean and the international community, the Barbados Gospelfest maintains a standard of excellence second to none, and has become a vital festival fixture for the region at large. Our commitment to people has guaranteed growth and longevity, and a new opportunity to touch lives each year.

Gospelfest (Barbados) Inc. exists to produce Barbados Gospelfest, the premier international Christian music and arts festival promoting the life changing impact of the Holy Spirit in all persons who make contact with the festival. 

Organizers: Barbados Tourism Authority, Churches of Barbados

Contact: Gospelfest (Barbados) Inc. P.O. Box 922 Bridgetown, Barbados

P: 246-426-5128

F: 246-228-8723

Email: araccan@carib surf.com info@barbadosgosp elfest.com 

Sponsors: Barbados Tourism Authority, Corporate

May | Trinidad & Tobago

The Gelede Festival has been revived and carried on in Trinidad and Tobago for some time. Gelede performances are held annually to pay tribute to the feminine energies present in the universe. Gelede is of particular significance with respect to the acknowledgement of the roles that women play in the society and caters to the development of moral and spiritual values with respect to the proper treatment of women in particular, and the family in general. Elements of Gelede are found in the traditional 'Ole time' characters in the J'ouvert celebrations in our National Carnival, such as the 'Dame Lorraine'; 'Midnight Robber'; 'Pierrot Grenade' ... etc. Gelede has its roots deep in West African culture and has also been recognized by the United Nations (UNESCO) as one of the World Cultural Heritages to be preserved. 

May (until 2016 again) | Tortola, British Virgin Islands

The BVI Music Festival is a three day musical and cultural extravaganza dedicated to delivering the best in international and local entertainment whilst utilizing the shores of the British Virgin Islands as its breaking backdrop.

Organizers: Government of British Virgin Islands

Email: info@bvimusicfestival.com

Sponsors: Government, Corporate

May | UK

Reading Carnival is an annual event that has been running since 1977. The main Carnival Processon takes place on the second Bank Holiday Monday in the month of May.

Reading Community Carnival showcases carnival culture, with the sounds of soca, calypso as well as the Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra. Take part in the Carnival King or Queen competition, or just enjoy the costumes and atmosphere. The Carnival King and Queen will be selected at the Carnival Dance. 

The event held at Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road, Reading, Berkshire, with stalls selling a variety of food and drink, as well as others of general and community interest.

The mission of Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Bandleaders Association (ACCBA) is to promote a broader understanding and deeper appreciation for Caribbean culture by seeking the interest of Atlanta Caribbean carnival groups and using the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival as a vehicle for the promotion of Caribbean culture among the broader Metro Atlanta community.

May (Pentecost Weekend) | Angouleme, France

Musiques Métisses is a music festival created in 1976 by Christian Mousset Angoulême. Each year artists from around the world present their concerts, and more than 60,000 spectators come to share the atmosphere of the village as concerts of the Festival. Originally established to jazz and improvised music French and European, it soon began to incorporate popular music and urban Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Indian Ocean. 

May | Bruton, South Somerset, UK

Sunrise Celebration is an ethical living and music festival that takes place in Bruton Somerset, England on an organic farm. It first started in 2006 over the summer solstice as an alternative celebration to the Glastonbury Festival. The festival includes a mix of alternative culture, and is committed to sustainability with an eclectic blend of dub, world, ska, electronica, dub-step, psy trance, breaks, reggae, folk and Balkan beats. The festival has a site-wide organic policy including alcohol and is the United Kingdom's leading sustainable festival. 

Contact: Sunrise Celebration Unit 12C Abbey Mews 56 High Street Glastonbury Somerset BA6 9DY

P: +44 845 009 0246 

June | St. Lucia

A rich display of Saint Lucian culture, Lucian Carnival pays homage to the island’s African and Catholic heritage. Once held to mark the end of the Lenten season, the festival was relocated in the late 90’s to accommodate the island’s thriving tourism industry, and to eliminate competition with Carnival gargantuan Trinidad & Tobago.

Today, Lucian Carnival is widely lauded as one of the Caribbean’s most exciting festivals. In keeping with the island’s reputation for exclusive world class entertainment, Lucian Carnival continues to produce spectacular visual and auditory displays.

Contact: LUCIAN CARNIVAL 

Beausejour, Gros Islet

P.O. Box 746, Castries

Saint Lucia, West Indies

Phone: +1 758 518 5555
US: +1 518 351 1666 UK: +44 084 5869 9662

June | Suriname

Due to the French Embassy in Suriname, Fête de la Musique is celebrated in Paramaribo too. It used to be held on the square of ‘t Vat’, but the last years this event too has outgrown the location, so that Fête de la Musique now spreads along a street in the entertainment distric.

Organizer: Council General of French Guiana

Fifth day of the Fifth Lunar Month | Trinidad & Tobago

Usually staged in commemoration of Chinese Arrival to Trinidad and Tobago, the Dragon Boat Festival is a race where teams of competitor comprising oarsmen, steersmen and drummers compete against each other. 

Organizer: TT Dragon Boat Federation

Sponsor: Corporate

June | St. Kitts

The St. Kitts Music Festival has earned the reputation of being the most diversified musical show in the Caribbean by blending rich exciting music with exhilarating performances. Since the inception of the festival we have had many renowned entertainers performed Center Stage, thus facilitating many successes that mirrored the festival’s main objectives. 

Organizers: Government of St. Kitts

Contact: St. Kitts Music Festival Secretariat - MINISTRY OF TOURISM & INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT BUILDING #3/4, PORT

Sponsors: Government, Corporate

June | Anguilla

Organizer: Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association 

June | The Bahamas

Organizer: Eleuthera Tourist Office, Governor‟s Harbour 

June | The Bahamas

DESIGN CARIBBEAN is the rebranded evolution of the Caribbean Gift and Craft show (CGCS) aimed at taking the promotion of the creative industries, in particular the design sector in the region, to new levels of excellence. The Design Caribbean showcase provides a platform for only the best Caribbean artisans and designers to show, market and sell their products locally, regionally and internationally.

June | USA

Caribbean American Heritage Month was established out of the need to create and disseminate knowledge about the contributions of Caribbean immigrants to America, and to be, in short, the platform for a dialogue between Caribbean peoples and the American public. Following the passage of CAHM, ICS has established the National Caribbean American Heritage Foundation to carry forth the work of its founder, Dr. Claire Nelson. Through this means, we will continue the legacy of speaking a fundamental truth to the world--that peoples of the Caribbean are positive contributors to the wellbeing and knowledge capital of the world's goods and services. 

Organizer: The Institute of Caribbean Studies

Contact: 1629 K Street NW Suite 300, Washington DC 200006

T: (202) 638-0460

Email: ics@icsdc.org

Sponsors: American Government, Donations, Embassies 

June | USA

The 13th Annual DC Caribbean Film Festival will kick off Friday, May 31st at the historic AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. The festival will run through June 2nd. 

Organizer: DC Carnival Experience Board

Sponsor: Coporate

June - July | St. Vincent

St. Vincent’s Carnival, or Vincy Mas, has an identity all of its own. Kicking off with an official launching in May, carnival celebrations stretch all the way through to July, culminating in the world famous street parties of J’Ouvert and Mardi Gras.

In between there are a whole host of wonderfully entertaining events such as the Miss SVGcompetition, the Soca MonarchCompetition, Miss Carival, the Junior Pan Fest and so much more. Band of The Year is a much sought after prize by those competing and partying during the Mardi Gras Parade of Bands, a fabulously colourful bonanza of costumes, music and dance. 

Organizer: Carnical Development Corpooration

Sponsors: Government of St. Vincent, Corporate

July | Canada

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto is an exciting three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, revelry as well as visual and performing Arts.

Organiser: The Organisation of Calypso Performing Artistes; Ontario Steelpan Association and Toronto Mas' Bands Association.

Contact: 19 Waterman Avenue, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, M4B 1Y2

Tel: 416-391-5608

Fax: 416-391-5693 

July | USA

The Houston Caribbean Festival seeks to celebrate cultural diversity through a festive environment, while celebrating life through song, dance and artistic expression. 

Houston Caribbean Festival is your one-stop for Caribbean entertainment in the Greater Houston area, while simultaneously providing a window to other Caribbean activities all across the globe!

Orangizer: The Houston Caribbean Festival committee 

July | Rudolstadt, Thuringia, Germany

The TFF Rudolstadt is Germany's biggest folk, roots, and world music festival. It tends to have a country focus (for 2012 - Colombia) as well as a key instrument and a dance. 

Contact: Peter Uhlmann, Markt 7, 07407 Rudolstadt, Germany.

T: +49 3672 412651

Box Office: +49 3672 486460

E: office@tff-rudolstadt.de

July | France

This is usually a 3-4 day festival which features reggae artists from all over the world. It takes place in Ville du Gard about 30 km from Avignon.

July | UK

An extravaganza of colourful costumes, steel pan tunes and energetic soca aerobics has given residents a taster of what's to come at this summer's Hackney One Carnival. 

Organizer: The Hackney Council

July | Germany

Third World, the world famous reggae band, headlined the Keti Koti Festival on Friday, July 1, 2011 in the City of Amsterdam. Keti Koti, the celebration of the abolition of slavery in 1863, for both Surinamese and Antillean Dutch as an important day in the history of slavery. It is expected that more than 35,000 people at the festival will come. The main stage will be opened this year with the biggest group in the Netherlands Antilles, Suriname, led by Edgar Trafassi 'Bugru' Burgos. 

Contact: Algemene informatie info@ketikotiamsterdam.nl

kraam@ketikotiamsterdam.nl

Deelname "Big Spikri" optocht@ketikotiamsterdam.nl

T: 020-463-6572

July | UK

Derby Caribbean Carnival is a 2 day event which takes place every year in July in various locations all around the city of Derby. It is organised by the Derby West Indian Community Association (DWICA) and has been growing in popularity and size since the first carnival back in 1975.

The idea of Derby Caribbean Carnival is to bring a taste of the Caribbean to the city of Derby through live music, processions, food and craft stalls and general entertainment indigenous to the Caribbean and the West Indies. The carnival also aims to discover and showcase new talent from the Black Arts, half of whom are local to the city of Derby and surrounding areas.

Flamboyant local costume is prevalent throughout the carnival with vivid colours of reds, blues, greens and golds, synonymous with the various flags of Caribbean countries, bringing a warm and vibrant glow to the event. 

Each last week in July, the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC presents the Caribbean Days Festival. This event draws a crowd of exuberant fun-lovers to North Vancouver's Waterfront Park for a weekend of parading, dining, socializing (liming) and dancing in the sunshine.

This is a weekend of tropical rhythm, cuisine, carnival and culture as only the Caribbean can offer. Over the years, the Festival has grown into the largest Caribbean event on the local calendar -- and with tens of thousands of attendees, possibly the largest cultural event of its type in BC, period. 

Contact: chair@caribbeandays. ca

Postal Address, 4974 Kingsway Avenue, Suite 635 Burnaby, BC V5H 4M9 

July | UK

The Coventry Caribbean Festival is held annually at Memorial Park, Coventry, with a live stage featuring well known reggae and soca artists and local acts. 

The Crop Over summer festival is Barbados' most popular and colourful festival. Its origins can be traced back to the 1780's, a time when Barbados was the world's largest producer of sugar.

At the end of the sugar season, there was always a huge celebration to mark the culmination of another successful sugar cane harvest - the Crop Over celebration. 

As the sugar industry in Barbados declined, so too did the Crop Over festival and in the 1940's the festival was terminated completely. However, the festival was revived in 1974 and other elements of Barbadian culture were infused to create the extravaganza that exists today an event that attracts thousands of people from across the globe.

Organizers: National Cultural Foundation

Contact: West Terrace, St. James, BB23018 Barbados

P: 246-417-6610

F: 246-424-0916

http://www.ncf.bb

Sponsors: Government of Barbados, Corporate

July - August | Toronto, Canada

Toronto's Caribbean Caribana festival has grown exponentially since its start in 1967 and is currently North America’s largest cultural festival. What was once a three-day event has now grown into three weeks of celebration, absorbing most of the city with its infectious feel- good vibes. 

Organizer: Caribana Arts Group

Email: info@clubcrawlers.com

July - August | Anguilla

Organizer: Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association 

July - August | Antigua & Barbuda

July - October | Antigua & Barbuda

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August | Guyana/Brazil

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Taking place every August Bank Holiday weekend in the streets of London W11, the Notting Hill Carnival is an amazing array of sounds, colourful sights and social solidarity among Caribbean people in the UK.

Contact: Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, 5 Baseline Studios Whitchurch Road London W11 4AT

Email: info@notthinghillcarnival.com

P: +44 020 7727 072

F: +44 020 7727 002

August | Antigua & Barbuda

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September | New York, USA

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October | Guyana

Slated at the end of the year, the National Drama festival showcases dramatic productions from high schools and adults who all have a passion for Arts. 

October | Guyana

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October | Miami, USA

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